Decisions!

( Sorry for the lack of posts- I am not sure where my time has been going...)

I have good news and bad news- good news is that Kevin FINALLY started his job today. After about 5 weeks after being hired, he had his first day. It has been a long wait. He is working for a security company that helps run the Seattle port (they also provide the same services for the Port of Long Beach). We were so excited when he got hired, but it has been a LONG wait to begin and the much needed cash flow could not come fast enough. The bad news is, the schedule is going to be crazy and changes every week. So that will be a big downer since most shifts are at night and sometimes into the early morning... lame. BUT we are grateful for the job, and Kevin said his first day was "scary but exciting too". We are hoping to move in January, and will be looking for an apartment for our first year (we are hoping to save a lot more this way so that we can rent a home/condo in the near future). 

On my side of things- my "students" are doing great. Many of the kids are adjusting to going to school and learning about routine, following rules, praying to God, sharing, talking, potty training, singing, and lots of "wiggle time" which is when they copy things I do (i.e. clap your hands, tap your feet, touch your nose, wiggle your arms) in order to let them move but also practice following direction and about animals or whatever I have them do. It is so cute. I have been getting good feedback from parents, which has been really rewarding and encouraging. Some kids ask if "Teacher Colleen" is coming to their house, swim practice, or for bedtime stories, and some apparently ask if they can go to school on their day off :-) To say the least, I am being spoiled by cute kids and great families. It is a great school and I am so lucky to be a part of it. 

 It has been weird though, I notice so much more about motherhood just by being at this school and interacting/observing the mothers. I daily struggles, the loneliness, the love, the joy, the demands, the need to relate, the ugg boot with stretchy pants and a sweatshirt look, the crazy do everything moms, and also the rare stay at home dads. I feel much closer to it all than I did before at the preschool I worked at in college. I'm not sure where I am going with this- but I will reflect on it later. Overall, these children are helping me and building me into a person who practices much more patience, kindness, gentleness and love. Being more self aware and remembering that all that I do reflects and teaches something to these children- and knowing that I want it to all be in love. I want them to think of school as a place where they know Teacher Colleen will be there to love me, teach me, and encourage me with gentleness and care. (*Note: for all you Duggar Haters out there- watching that show- since it is on demand here- has really helped me to channel my inner Michelle and change how I teach and interact with these kids... If you dont know what I am talking about- ask me- or go watch an episode of 19 kids and counting) 

Okay enough rambling. I'll have a more fun post soon!

Take A Back Road....

Big news in the Cox home this week......

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We bought a car for Kevin! Goodbye 95' Camry- hello 2004 Jeep Liberty! We can now go off roadin', 4 wheel drivin', campin', fishin', huntin', and basically anything outside that you'd like to do out here in the great North West!  

Here is a song to go with it :-) 

And it only seems appropriate to share this song too on how I feel about the rain here in Seattle now that I have a little hick in my step thanks to the fog lights on the car!

And for other news..... here is a cute picture of Zoey 

(and Ernie who doesn't like any other dog as of yet)!

Couldn't find her anywhere... until we checked our bed haha!

The Way.

Tonight my Aunt and I went and saw the movie called "The Way". It was written and directed by Emilio Estaves ( *Check It Out Here* ). Good movie.

At so many points it got me thinking. The story is about a dad who goes on a long trek that his son had set out for, but died on day one (you learn in the first five minutes so its not a spoiler okay!- sorry!) and along the journey we get to see and meet a few interesting characters and learn their stories- or should I say very small peeks into their stories.

It made me think this exact thought throughout the movie-

Share what you have.

Thats it. Nothing huge. But this movie really got me thinking. I think about life a lot- and how short it really is in the grand scheme of things. We each have so much love and kindness and encouraging words/thoughts within us- but how often do we really tell people them? How many missed opportunities we let go by without saying them. I know we see this everywhere, "tell people you love them, it could be your last time" I understand that. I agree with it. BUT I think we need to do more. Simply saying you love someone is not enough. LIVE IT OUT. We need to love them in all we do. Word and deed. What does that look like?

Saying something honest. Saying something of meaning to someone. Comforting them even if it is hard for you. Praying for them without them having to ask. Knowing them. Listening to them more than talking about yourself. Really listening so that you know how to best love them. Forgiving them. Appreciating who they are. Thinking of them first. Love has so many ways of revealing itself.  But mostly we need to do the following.

We need to live like Jesus.

This passage has been on my mind for the entire year. I cannot even begin to unravel it in my poorly written words, and maybe you wont see how it relates- but hey God gave me these words and I'm writing them so hopefully they will matter and make sense to one of you. so please. Read.


1 John 2:3-11

³ We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

 ⁷ Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

 ⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹ But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

So here is the point to this all. We cannot know and give and understand love the way it is meant to be carried out until we know the way God intended it. How can we know that? Through scriptures. Through Jesus' life. We need to know Jesus. I need to know Jesus. I need to know Him more than I know ANY other. I need to know because my entire life depends on it. All my relationships, friendships, family, marriage, future children, grandchildren. All those I will work with and encounter need love- and I want to be able to show it to them, no matter how slight. 

So thank you- Emilio... for showing me.... the way.... hahaha okay sorry I had to add that in there. And for a cuter version of a love story- go watch Juno. Lots to learn there. The good the bad the ugly. And I am biased b/c it involves teen pregnancy and adoption all in one. Okay bye.

All things baby...

No- this is NOT a pregnancy announcement.

I wanted to tell you guys a little but more about why we moved up to Washington.

In simple terms- I LOVE babies. I love pregnancy, birthing stories, couples, expectant parents, families, and basically, all- things- baby.

A few months ago, I was talking to a friend of a friend, and she was telling me about her job at an elderly facility. In my head I am thinking, "I could NEVER do that!" and she tells me, "When I am serving these old people, I pray and thank God because I know I am washing the feet of Jesus."

I almost cried on the spot. What a woman. What a perspective. Inspiring.

More of Jesus, less of me. Please.

It got me thinking... what is it that I do, that I feel God made me to do, and that when I do this, I know I am serving Jesus. Immediately I knew it was with children- little children.

When I am helping families, teaching kids, swaddling babies and rocking them to sleep- I feel God smiling down on me. I know he made me to do this. Not for my own kids, but for others. My time will come, but it isn't right now. And that night I spoke to this woman, I began praying:

"Lord, help me find a way to do what you made me to do"

At the time I was considering leaving my job, and looking for a good way out. Through a series of events, I was led to a pre school where I would be teaching the "Curious Two's" class (unknowingly teaching one of my friends newly adopted son!)

So here I am (here we are) living in Washington, I am teaching such sweet, loving, and precious children, and praying about the next step. In the long run- I want to go back to school at UW for my Masters in Social Work. I think I have mentioned some interests before but here are some potential places I think God has called me to serve in - I am just going to throw them out there in no particular order! Maybe you can leave (encouraging) comments about what you could best see me doing!? Yes? Okay!

• Working with and/or counseling teen mothers
• Counseling expectant couples and/or teaching couples classes for new parents
• Working for an adoption agency serving teen mothers
• Maybe- and just maybe- some doula work with deliveries (I would love to be hands on but it would take additional certification)  
• Teaching/counseling at a pregnancy clinic or hospital 

Okay! Enough about me. I just wanted to share a bit of my heart with ya'll (shout out to my Texan friends who make me love saying ya'll). I know God made me to work with kids and families and thanks for coming alongside me in the journey to getting there. 

For now, I am mostly a wife, a teacher, and a new Washington resident. I hope to add a few more things to that list in the next few years. 

And for fun- here are a few photos of some special babies who have changed. my. entire. life. 

Some Photos For Ya

Here are some other photos that I couldn't load a while back from our trip and some from our new home! Enjoy!

Goin' to the Narthwest!

There are a few interesting things that we have been finding out about since we have moved up here. A few hick-ish things, and a few awesome things!

Hickish things include the following:

1. People drive with goats instead of dogs in the back of their trucks
2. The local High School has a gun club- and it happens to be around the block 
3. Deer roaming in yards is normal
4. LOTS of people own their own chickens
5. LOTS of people spray paint their trucks camouflage 
6. This is hickish but also awesome: bars named "Doofers"

Awesome things include the following:

1. You can merge in and out of the carpool lane whenever your heart desires 
1. negative byproduct- you cannot merge onto other freeways from the carpool so swerving across traffic to make your change is common
2. The skyline is always filled with trees
3. Drive through coffee shops are literally everywhere
4. There are lots of apple trees that hang out of peoples giganto yards and we can pick apples off 
5. Washington is literally lined with berry bushes that people pick 
6. We have seen the three couples/families we know up here a few times already 

Okay random post for you guys. Here is a cute picture just for fun.

Long Awaited!

Hi friends-

Well the biggest reason I have not posted photos and updates from our journey to the NW is because my computer won't let my phone sync to it anymore and  I can't upload my photos from my phone OR my photos from my camera- because our other cord is packed away. Wah wahhhh. So that being said, there are a few that I was able to sync by some Christmas miracle and I have a few photos for you.

Our going away party was a blast. Thank you to everyone who came and showered us with love as we begin this new journey! It is scary but so exciting for us. The drive went really well! Zoey slept literally the entire way until we were two blocks from the house and she was fed up and screaming/howling/wimpering/barking- but I still see that as a victory!

Our first day we drove up to Sacramento or "The Sac" as Kevin likes to call it, and stayed with our friends Phil & Kathy. We had a great time, went out for appetizers at the Diners, Dives, and Drive through guys restaurant- yummmmm. Then we went on a journey to Phil's favorite taco truck (which involved a 30 minute drive into God knows where- it looked like we were in Indiana! Sorry Em..) But let me tell you- THOSE TACOS WERE FLIPPIN AMAZING! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM . Thanks PHil! And ended it with DELISH donuts! Thanks Kathy for sharing the Mint N Chip!

Kevin on his first leg of the trip ( I took the mornings he took second shift)

Lookin' snazzzzzay in his new jacket and glasses

Guy Fierrere's (or however the heck you spell it) restaurant!

Posing for my parents by his picture!

Em- Doesn't that look like Indiana!? Come on!

The famous truck. We will meet again.

Phil and Kev determining their orders- note the seriousness.

Into Oregon now! 

What Kevin does when I ask him to take pictures. 

Getting closer to Portland.

Mema's swanky condo!

Her sweet view!

Funky breakfast place we went to! Double Yum!

For Tiffany.

Everyone told us to go to Voodoo Donuts b/c they are the best..

They were right!

The famed "Bacon Maple Donut" 

Kevin chanted that mantra the entire way while we walked there...

Leaving Portland!

We spent the next day driving for 11 hours up to Portland, Oregon to stay the night with my Grandma in her hip condo in the city. That place is dog central. We took Zoey on a walk and business owners asked if we would bring her into the shop and they proceeded to get on their hands and knees and kiss/play with Zoey and then give her treats. It was really strange. I'm talking grown men and women in business clothes. Maybe it is just weird to me. *Fun fact about Washington- apparently it is now known as the biggest dog state in the US where more people have dogs than they have children- thus the giant section of dog clothes everywhere we go. 

The third and final day of our voyage was.... really crappy/horrible/draining eventful. While leaving Portland, I noticed the car tow was swaying pretty strongly and dangerously next to cars. We pulled over and found out the lever to the car tow and lodged its way up and under the bottom of our bummer (into this plastic area) and there was no way to get it out. We tried to drive slow, but the front tire being unlocked was  making the car shift all over the place and we were not willing to keep driving. So we pulled over, tried 10 things that didn't work, and figured the only thing we could do is pull the call off the tow and drive our two cars separately. We did so, and bent the underneath of our bumper pretty bad, but better than the car flying swinging into someones car and creating a huge crash. So that short 3 hour drive turned into a 6 hour drive because we also hit ridiculous traffic coming into WA because a truck slid onto grass. Let me repeat- a truck- did not crash, and no other cars were involved, and no car was even damaged, but a truck, slid onto grass on the side of the road, and needed to get pulled off - SO LITERALLY JUST A TRUCK SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD- and people decided that was 5 mph worthy on the freeway.... LAWD people in WA can't drive! 

(Kevin has the entering Washington Photos)

Here is the sign that we drove up to!

Did I tell you they have chickens who we get fresh eggs from..?

With names... and personalities!? They hold them! haha!

We had our first and last Dick's burger. It is NOTHING compared to INNOUT.

Pretty views!

We had our first Five Guys. Pretty good man.

Our drive home everyday. 

Snapshot of my classroom!

View of the Bergin Home!

Sunshine for all your WA haterrrrrs out there- it happens!

:-)

In my sweet fleece my sister got me- I fit right in now! 

So anywho! We made it to WA with overall great ease and we are having a great time. We live in a beautiful neighborhood with my aunt/uncle/cousins and we are loving all the trees. I mean seriously, its like the woods. It is beautiful. All the leaves are starting to change color, the fog sits nice and low on the mountains behind us, and on clear days (which we have had quite a few) it is even better. My job at the preschool is great! The facility is beautiful and the kids are so sweet and fun. Kevin has a few prospects, but we are still figuring out a few things. We have driven around lots of neighborhoods and cities looking for where we would potentially live. So please pray for these specific things:

-Kevin would find a great full time job that he enjoys and can learn from
-I find a fun restaurant to work at that is closer to wherever he works
- We find a nice place to rent (we want to rent a small home)
-We are patient
-We find a church in that area

If you read this whole thing- I love you! Thanks! More pictures and posts to come!
xoxoxoxoxo Colleen